Thesic_suitability analysis of urban green space system based on GIS”

Todays changing world, values and standards of human were changed with urbanization. In this change people was differentiated existing uses and created new areas. These changes are different from country to country to the extent of economic, cultural and geographical reasons. In addition, these areas were determined to same principles basis for human uses. Life style was changed with urbanization. In this process rural areas were transformed to urban areas. These areas are dominated by mass of concrete. In these areas there are small green areas at a micro level. In the process of rapid urbanization was created an unnatural environment. In the developed countries, urban areas were effected physical and mental development of people. This effect was adversely. With this change in urban areas, people entered into a yearning for natural areas. At beginning, green areas have been established to resolve natural longing of people. Urban green spaces have become the indispensable elements of ecological, aesthetic and recreational value. Establish of urban green space systems has become a necessity in today. Urban green areas were not established for recreational needs. At the same time urban green spaces are ecological based requirement (Bilgili, 2009). Urban green space and green space systems were reviewed in this section. 2

Suitability Analysis of Urban Green Space System Based on GIS Yang Manlun September, 2003 Suitability Analysis of Urban Green Space System Based on GIS by Yang Manlun Thesis submitted to the International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation with specialisation in Urban Planning and Management Thesis Assessment Board Prof Dr Willem v.d Toorn Drs Fred Toppen Mrs Du Ningrui, MSc Drs P Hofstee Ir M Brussel (Chairman) (external examiner, University Utrecht) (SUS supervisor) (First ITC supervisor) (Second ITC supervisor) INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE AND EARTH OBSERVATION ENSCHEDE, THE NETHERLANDS Disclaimer This document describes work undertaken as part of a programme of study at the International Institute for Geo-information Science and Earth Observation All views and opinions expressed therein remain the sole responsibility of the author, and not necessarily represent those of the institute Acknowledgements After six months study, it is the time of harvest Looking back on the study life in the Netherlands, it is composed of challenge, excitement and happiness Not only the technical knowledge we learnt here but also the different cultures and the friendly people It is really a precious experience that will be remembered forever in my life Firstly, I owe special thanks to my first supervisor, Drs Paul Hofstee for his important guidance and helpful comments from the beginning to the end of this research I am also very grateful to my second supervisor, Ir Mark Brussel He helped me with the analysis and writing in the final stage I would like to thank Mrs Xiao Yinghui for her guidance to process the data and Mrs Du Ningrui for her comments to improve the thesis I owe many thanks to my Chinese supervisors, Prof Xu Zhaozhong and Mr Zhang Jun of Wuhan University, for their guidance and ideas to write the proposal It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet some Chinese PhDs, Zhan Qingming, Huang Zhengdong, Cheng Jianquan, Zheng Ding, Tang Xingming, and Zhu Sicai They provided many inspirits for my study Special thanks go to Chen Wenbo and Liu Kang, who have been always helpful with their rich experience and knowledge Every time’s discussion with them made my thesis improve I also want to thank them for their patience of teaching me the GIS technology and correcting my English writing Sincere thanks go to one of my best friends, Feng Qiaobing She greatly helped me the fieldwork, collect the data and process the data Her sincere supports and inspirits made me study here at ease Many thanks go to the UPLA2 2003 group of my Chinese MSc classmates, particularly to Wang Yujian for his help with my living It was a pleasure to study and share the joys with them I also won’t forget the kindly help from my Chinese classmates, Cao Chunxia and Zhou Qinghua of Wuhan University, for helping me to the literature review Last but not least, I feel deeply grateful to my parents and brothers, for their sincere love, understanding and support to me And I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all people who ever helped me Abstract Suitability analysis of green space system is designed to identify and measure the suitability of potential sites for green space system development Such analysis can be regarded as a relatively difficult task partially due to large number of factors and large volume of data that may be required for the determination The purpose of this research is to develop an approach of GIS-based suitability analysis to identify suitable sites for urban green space system development This approach identifies seven major steps involved in the suitability analysis, which include selecting, scoring, weighting suitability factors, generating suitability scenarios using GIS, ranking suitability scenarios, making sensitivity analysis, and output evaluation Selecting suitability factors is mainly based on stakeholder analysis and desirable environmental quality Four groups including urban planners, environmentalists, local residents and local government officials are involved in the stakeholder analysis The desirable environmental quality is proposed from two aspects: existing situation and greening indices As such, seven suitability factors including air quality, landscape quality, surface water quality, historic culture value, water system influence, noise influence, and existing land use, will be selected to carry out the GIS-based suitability analysis These seven factors are set as ‘high suitability’, ‘moderate suitability’, and ‘no suitability’ Ratio values are applied in scoring these three classes within the suitability factors, and the establishment of certainty factor is introduced to improve the traditional GIS-based suitability analysis model After that, three weighting methods including statistic integration, hierarchic analysis of nine-degree and hierarchic analysis of three-degree are used to define three sets of weighting systems All the above data are integrated into a raster-based GIS software and spatial analysis is performed using an overlay technique to generate six suitability scenarios Then weighted summation and electre method are used to make a ranking among these six suitability scenarios Sensitivity analysis is carried out to test the validity of scores, weights used and the ranking of the scenarios As such, the best suitability scenario comes out and it needs to be evaluated by comparing it with the urban master plan, with the aim of finding the commons and differences between them and then to validate the proposed approach Suitability analysis is a powerful tool for green space system planning Continued development and refinement of suitability analysis, particularly with GIS technology, can enable urban planners to help local government officials and local residents to create a suitable green space system in the urban environment In order to advance the art of the suitability analysis, it is important that not only the suitability output is replicable within a study area, but also the approach is transferable, or at least adaptable in other places This research provides an example of such transferability In general, GIS is a toolbox capable of providing support for spatial problem-solving and decision-making, and it should be integrated with the decision support system (DSS) to make the suitability analysis in a more systematic way Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Maps List of Formulas Introduction 1.1 Background 1.2 Problem statement 1.3 Research objective .3 1.3.1 Main objective 1.3.2 Specific objectives 1.4 Research questions .3 1.5 Workflow 1.6 Structure of the thesis .6 Definition and conceptions of urban green space system 2.1 Definition of urban green space system .7 2.2 Classification of urban green space system .8 2.2.1 Classification in foreign countries .8 2.2.2 Classification in China .10 2.3 Comprehensive benefits of urban green spaces .13 2.3.1 Ecological benefits 13 Clean air 13 Adjust and improve urban climate 14 Prevent and reduce hazard 15 Eliminate noise 15 2.3.2 Social benefits 15 Recreation 15 Landscape aesthetics 16 Adjust psychology .17 Education 18 2.3.3 Economic benefits 19 Methodology .21 3.1 Definition of suitability analysis 21 3.2 Suitability analysis methods 21 3.2.1 Direct overlay 21 3.2.2 Weighted score 22 3.2.3 Ecological factors combination .23 3.3 GIS application in suitability analysis .23 3.4 GIS-based traditional suitability analysis model (TSAM) and its improvement 24 3.4.1 Traditional suitability analysis model (TSAM) .24 TSAM procedure 24 Example 25 3.4.2 Improved traditional suitability analysis model (ITSAM) 26 3.4.3 Summary 29 3.5 Weighting methods 29 3.5.1 Statistic integration 29 3.5.2 Hierarchic analysis of nine-degree 31 3.5.3 Hierarchic analysis of three-degree .32 3.6 Evaluation methods for ranking .34 3.6.1 Weighted summation .36 3.6.2 Electre method .36 3.6.3 Summary 37 3.7 Sensitivity analysis 37 3.7.1 Uncertainty on scores 38 Overall uncertainty of the scores 38 Uncertainty of one score 38 3.7.2 Sensitivity on weights .38 Changes in all weights 39 Different sets of weights 39 3.7.3 Summary 39 3.8 Methodology flow chart 40 Case study in Dongguan 42 4.1 Study area: Dongguan municipality .42 4.1.1 Location 42 4.1.2 Physical characteristics 43 4.1.3 Social-economic characteristics 43 4.2 Current green space system analysis in Dongguan 44 4.2.1 Existing situation of the green space system 44 4.2.2 Problems existing in the green space system 44 Public green space and suburban forestry 44 Residential green space and departmental (work unit) affiliated green space .45 Road green space 45 Productive and defensive green space 46 Landscape forestry land 46 4.2.3 Greening indices 46 Definitions of three greening indices .46 Functions of three greening indices 47 4.2.4 Desirable environmental quality in Dongguan 48 4.3 Suitability analysis of green space system based on GIS .48 4.3.1 Stakeholder analysis for suitability 48 Urban planners 48 Environmentalists 49 Local residents 49 Local government officials .49 4.3.2 Selecting suitability factors 50 Available data 50 Data pre-processing 51 4.3.3 Scoring 52 Scores of suitability factors 52 Certainty factor .55 4.3.4 Weighting 58 Calculating weights by statistic integration .58 Calculating weights by hierarchic analysis of nine-degree 59 Calculating weights by hierarchic analysis of three-degree 60 Weighting results for suitability scenarios .61 4.3.5 Suitability scenario 62 4.4 Multi-criteria analysis for ranking 65 4.4.1 Effects table 65 4.4.2 Standardization 66 Goal standardization for ‘high suitability’ .66 Interval standardization for ‘moderate suitability’ 67 Maximum standardization for ‘no suitability’ 67 4.4.3 Weight .68 4.4.4 Ranking 69 Weighted summation 69 Electre method 71 4.5 Sensitivity analysis 75 4.5.1 Uncertainty of one score 76 4.5.2 Overall uncertainty of the weights 76 4.5.3 Changes in all weights (rank reversal of two alternatives) .77 4.6 Comparison 78 4.6.1 Commons .80 4.6.2 Differences 81 Conclusion and recommendation .83 5.1 Conclusion 83 5.2 Recommendation 84 List of Tables Table 2.1 Definitions of green open space Table 2.2 Classification of parks in America .9 Table 2.3 Classification of urban green space system in Japan .9 Table 2.4 Classification of urban green space system in China 11 Table 3.1 Factors and weights in the traditional suitability analysis 25 Table 3.2 Investigating table of importance order .30 Table 3.3 Information table of statistic induction (%) .30 Table 3.4 Factors weights by statistic integration 31 Table 3.5 Importance comparison of nine-degree 31 Table 3.6 Structural judgment matrix of nine-degree 31 Table 3.7 Factors weights by hierarchic analysis of nine-degree 32 Table 3.8 Comparison matrix of three-degree .33 Table 3.9 Structural judgment matrix of three-degree 33 Table 3.10 Factors weights by hierarchic analysis of three-degree .34 Table 3.11 Overview of evaluation methods for ranking 35 Table 4.1 Suitability classes and scores .53 Table 4.2 Investigating information by statistic induction 58 Table 4.3 Structural judgment matrix of suitability factors by nine-degree 59 Table 4.4 Comparison matrix of suitability factors by three-degree 61 Table 4.5 Structural judgment matrix of suitability factors by three-degree .61 Table 4.6 Weighting results for suitability scenarios 62 Table 4.7 Standardized effects table 72 List of Figures Figure 1.1 Research workflow .5 Figure 2.1 Developmental skeleton of green space system Figure 2.2 Hierarchical requirement theory (Abraham H Maslow) 18 Figure 2.3 Circular ring for education function of green spaces 19 Figure 3.1 TSAM 26 Figure 3.2 ITSAM 28 Figure 3.3 Methodology flow chart .41 Figure 4.1 Data pre-processing 51 Figure 4.2 Effects table 65 Figure 4.3 Standardization for ‘high suitability’ 66 Figure 4.4 Standardization for ‘moderate suitability’ 67 Figure 4.5 Standardization for ‘no suitability’ 68 Figure 4.6 Standardizations and weights .69 Figure 4.7 Ranking results I by weighted summation 69 Figure 4.8 Ranking results II by weighted summation .70 Figure 4.9 Ranking results III by weighted summation (Scatter diagram) 71 Figure 4.10 Concordance table 72 Figure 4.11 Discordance table 73 Figure 4.12 Strong graph (0: no ranking, 1: a ranking) 74 Figure 4.13 Weak graph (0: no ranking, 1: a ranking) .74 Figure 4.14 Ranking results by electre method 75 Figure 4.15 Sensitivity of the ranking for changes in one score 76 Figure 4.16 Uncertainty analysis on the weights (50%) 77 Figure 4.17 Weight combination by rank reversal between ‘scenario 1’ and ‘scenario 2’ 78 List of Maps Map 4.1 The location of Dongguan municipality (study area)………………………………… ……42 Map 4.2 Air (air quality)……………………………………………………………………… …… 54 Map 4.3 Lscape (landscape quality)…………………………………………………….…………… 54 Map 4.4 Swater (surface water quality)……………………………………………………………….54 Map 4.5 History (historic culture value)………………………………………………………………54 Map 4.6 Noise (noise influence)………………………………………………………………………55 Map 4.7 Luse (existing land use)…………………………………………………………………… 55 Map 4.8 Wsystem (water system influence)………………………………………………………… 55 Map 4.9 Cerlscape (certainty factors for landscape quality)………………………………………….56 Map 4.10 Cerhistory (certainty factors for historic culture value)……………………………………56 Map 4.11 Cerluse (certainty factors for existing land use)……………………………………………56 Map 4.12 Cerwsystem (certainty factors for water system influence)……………………………… 56 Map 4.13 Clscape (composite certainty factors for landscape quality)……………………………….57 Map 4.14 Chistory (composite certainty factors for historic culture value)………………………… 57 Map 4.15 Cluse (composite certainty factors for existing land use)………………………………… 57 Map 4.16 Cwsystem (composite certainty factors for water system influence)………………………57 Map 4.17 Draft suitability scenario 1………………………………………………………………….63 Map 4.18 Final suitability scenario 1………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.19 Final suitability scenario 2………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.20 Final suitability scenario 3………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.21 Final suitability scenario 4………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.22 Final suitability scenario 5………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.23 Final suitability scenario 6………………………………………………………………….64 Map 4.24 Master plan of Dongguan municipality (2000-2015)………………………………………79 Map 4.25 Comparison map……………………………………………………………………………79 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS 4.5.1 Uncertainty of one score In this section a procedure is described to estimate certainty intervals for criterion scores Within a certainty interval the ranking of two alternatives is not sensitive to changes in criterion scores Figure 4.15 shows the sensitivity of the ranking for ‘moderate suitability’ of ‘scenario 1’ The ‘moderate suitability’ areas of ‘scenario 1’ are estimated at ‘4747.48’ hectares (see Figure 4.2) If this estimate is correct ‘scenario 3’ is the best alternative The question whether ‘scenario 3’ is still the best if ‘moderate suitability’ areas of ‘scenario 1’ prove to be higher can be answered using this figure The original estimate, a ‘moderate suitability’ of ‘4747.48’ hectares, is marked with a vertical line At ‘4747.48’ hectares the total score of ‘scenario 3’ is above the total score of ‘scenario 2’, ‘scenario 6’ and other scenarios It is clear that the difference between ‘scenario 3’ and ‘scenario 1’ is somewhat large but that a certain increase in the ‘moderate suitability’ areas of ‘scenario 1’ will make ‘scenario 1’ the better alternative Reversal occurs at a ‘moderate suitability’ by ‘scenario 1’ of about ‘8200’ hectares This ranking is shown to be not very sensitive to changes in this score The sensitivity of the ranking to changes in one weight can be analysed in the same way But in calculating certainty intervals for one weight it is assumed that all weights add up to ‘1’ and that the ratios between all other weights remain unaltered Figure 4.15 Sensitivity of the ranking for changes in one score 4.5.2 Overall uncertainty of the weights As mentioned in section 3.7.1, the sensitivities of rankings of alternatives to overall uncertainty in scores and weights are analysed by using a Monte Carlo approach The decision maker is asked to estimate the maximum percentage that actual values may differ from the values included in the elements of the effects table or set of weights Figure 4.16 shows a result of sensitivity analysis on the ranking of alternatives by looking at the overall uncertainty of the weights It is the probability that an alternative is ranked first, second, etc Here it assumes that the weights can be ‘50%’ higher or lower 76 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS than the assigned weights and that this deviation is normally distributed The figure shows that the alternatives ‘scenario 3’, ‘scenario 2’ and ‘scenario 6’ are always ranked on the first three positions, while ‘scenario 5’, ‘scenario 1’ and ‘scenario 4’ almost rank the last three positions Numbers associated with this figure can also be derived For example, ‘scenario 3’ and ‘scenario 2’ are found ‘100%’ on first and second positions, while ‘scenario 4’ ‘100%’ on last position It can be seen that ‘scenario 6’ has the highest probability of being ranked third, but that ‘scenario 5’ even ‘scenario 1’ can rank third The large-sized circles on the main diagonal indicate that the ranking of the alternatives under ‘50%’ weight uncertainty is relatively stable Therefore it is quite certain that ‘scenario 3’ is the best alternative, followed by ‘scenario 2’ and other scenarios Figure 4.16 Uncertainty analysis on the weights (50%) 4.5.3 Changes in all weights (rank reversal of two alternatives) As mentioned in section 3.7.2, three methods can be used to test the sensitivity of ranking to changes in all weights The method of rank reversal of two alternatives is described in this section Figure 4.17 shows the result of a rank reversal of two alternatives ‘scenario 1’ and ‘scenario 2’, the second position In the upper part of this window, the column on the left shows the original weights The column on the right shows the weight combination most similar to the original weights for which the alternatives ‘scenario 1’ and ‘scenario 2’ change the rank order The ranking of the alternatives belonging to this weight combination is found in the lower part of this window in the column on the right, while the original ranking results using weighted summation are presented in the column on the left It is obvious that the largest changes in weights decreasing the weight of ‘moderate suitability’ and increasing the weight of ‘no suitability’ may result in a better result of alternative ‘scenario 3’ (Note that the order of importance of the criteria has been changed) From all above sensitivity analyses of ranking for uncertainties in scores and weights, it can be concluded that ‘scenario 3’ is the best alternative although there are some uncertainties existing in the multicriteria analysis 77 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Figure 4.17 Weight combination by rank reversal between ‘scenario 1’ and ‘scenario 2’ 4.6 Comparison The best suitability scenario has come out through the ranking and sensitivity analysis, now we can compare it with the urban master plan to find the commons and differences between them, and to find the reasons behind them Map 4.24 is a master plan of Dongguan municipality (2000-2015) made by Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dongguan Institute of Urban Planning and Design Map 4.25 is the comparison between the best suitability scenario and the master plan In order to make a better explanation for the comparison, here we give a name of ‘proposed plan’ to the best suitability scenario 78 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Map 4.24 Residential land Industrial land Public facilities Municipal utilities Green space Forestry land and farmland Rural land Water area Roads and squares Planning boundary Map 4.24 Master plan of Dongguan municipality (2000-2015) The best suitability scenario (proposed plan) Master plan of Dongguan municipality (2000-2015) Green space Water area Roads and squares Other landuses Planning boundary no suitability moderate suitability high suitability Note: ✄ ✄ ✄ ✄         Qifeng mountain area ✁ ✁ ✁ ✁ Rivers intersection area Tongsha reservoir area ☎ ☎ ☎ ☎ Industrial area Map 4.25 Comparison map 79 ✂ ✂ ✂ ✂ Baima area SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS 4.6.1 Commons (1) Seen from the holistic distribution of the green space system, green spaces are mainly located in the east and the south in both plans (Map 4.25) There are some famous historic relics existing in these areas, but so little importance was attached to them that they were not protected well in the past The government wants to plan a cultural relic and a historic site conservation to improve the historic culture value Moreover, the landscape quality and surface water quality are rather low in the south, which needs to use green spaces to improve these two kinds of quality The most important is that the built up area is primarily situated in the middle part, while most of the vacant areas and government reserved areas lie in the east and the south Hence, the green spaces won’t interfere with the future buildings development and certainly not be expanded at the expense of other important landuses (2) Idea of applying large-scale and small-scale green spaces in the green space system is the same in both plans The proposed plan and the master plan consider the suitable sites for green space system should be not only in the built up area but also in the rural area Large-scale green spaces in the rural area are the main parts of the green space system They can play a good ecological role in cleaning air, preventing and reducing hazard Also, both plans create more places with high landscape quality and supply better places for the residents’ recreation to move the large number of urban population out of the built up area, with the aim of solving this kind of over-urbanization problem Some small-scale green spaces decentralize in the built up are, which to some extent can adjust and improve urban climate, adjust the residents’ psychology, and eliminate the noise caused by the fast growing industry and traffic The green space system composed of large-scale and small-scale green spaces is consistent with the existing urban structure Many buildings are located in the built up area that make the urban landuses be less potential Thus the urban structure of Dongguan municipality has developed into a radiated style, and the direction for urban development is primarily showed on the development sequence (3) The green space system in both plans is developed centring around the mountains and water areas In the built up area, Wanjiang River, Dongguan Channel and Dongguan Canal are the centres for the green spaces development, while Qifeng Mountain is the development centre of green spaces in the east and the three reservoirs are the other centres in the south (Map 4.25) The location of Qifeng Mountain area (see in Map 4.25) is almost the same In the proposed plan, this area is almost equal to the existing green space area Master plan states that Qifeng Mountain area is not enough for the fast increasing population any more It should be expanded at the expense of its surrounding forestry lands and farmlands Both plans acknowledge that the slide in this area is potentially dangerous and the soil is very sensitive to the neighbouring residents’ activities Some natural resources and historic relics exist in the Qifeng Mountain area but have been partially destroyed All of which need to be improved by planning a suitable green space system On the other hand, green spaces can play a good education function (see section 2.3.2) to the residents that they can enjoy in this area but have a responsibility for preserving the local resources In summary, the green space system in both plans is characterised by that urban landuses are tightly integrated with the elegant mountains and water area, which will finally play an ecological role to the urban environment The whole city seems to be enclosed by the green spaces, mountains and water areas, and the urban structure has a development tendency of cross-axis 80 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS 4.6.2 Differences (1) In the proposed plan, the green space system is planned primarily allowing for the ecological factor (air quality, surface water quality, water system influence, noise influence), while the master plan mainly takes the social factor into account, particularly the factor of existing land use and historic culture value As the research has mentioned the definition of urban green space system in section 2.1, in the proposed plan, those water areas enabling people to contact the nature and those greenways that can play a good ecological function are included in this urban green space system For example, in Tongsha reservoir area (see in Map 4.25), Tongsha reservoir showing good ecological benefits is in Map 4.25) is one of the important green spaces in the south In the east south, Baima area (see the other ecological green space including some forestry lands and water areas This is very different from the opinions in the master plan, which states that the existing water areas, forestry lands and other important natural resources should be strictly preserved They cannot be occupied by other landuses but green spaces can be planned around them to play the ecological function These opinions are obviously showed in Tongsha reservoir area and Baima area in both plans As such, the green space system in the proposed plan is more systematic and decentralized than that in the master plan (2) In the rivers intersection area (see in Map 4.25), green spaces in the master plan are mainly close to Wanjiang River, Dongguan Channel and Dongguan canal, with the aim of improving the surface water quality and acting as a green buffer to prevent the flood In the proposed plan, only some small-scale green spaces decentralise around the rivers The factor of surface water quality and the factor of water system influence for identifying the suitability are less important than other ecological and social factors (see the weighting results in Table 4.6) The proposed plan accepts that in the past few years, many industries of electronic communication and electric machine near the rivers before have been moved to the areas surrounding the built up area Thus the water quality in Wanjiang River, Dongguan Channel anf Dongguan canal has been relatively improved In addition, the water line of these three rivers is much lower than the 10-year flood line, so more green spaces should be planned in other areas that have higher flood potential, show more indications of advance erosion and high level of human activities (e.g the three reservoir areas in the south) In summary, both plans acknowledge that the flood should be prevented by green buffers in the future In the proposed plan, this can be showed from the areas around the rivers in the north of the built up area not with ‘high suitability’, but with ‘moderate suitability’ (3) In the south of the built up area, green spaces in the master plan are mainly on the margin of the industrial area (see in Map 4.25), as a green belt of absorbing toxic gas, trapping dust and eliminating noise In the proposed plan, some green spaces are on the margin of the industrial area, others are planned at the expense of some industrial areas, in order to play a better ecological role, improve the landscape quality and adjust the workers psychology Residents working in the industrial area not only need to eliminate the industrial pollution as much as possible, but also need an elegant environment with high landscape quality to adjust their oppressive psychology This can be realized by planning the green spaces situated in the industrial area and on its margin However, the master plan states that industry is the base of the urban economy The existing industrial lands are so important that they cannot be occupied by other landuses As long as the green spaces are suitably located on the margin of the industrial area, they can also play a good role in improving the working environment In addition, with the fast growing of the urban traffic, noise has become a serious pollution that has a bad 81 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS effect on the residents’ health The proposed plan accepts that planning a suitable green space system is the most effective method to eliminate the noise This can be showed from the areas with ‘moderate suitability’ beside the main roads in the proposed plan, while it is neglected in the master plan 82 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Conclusion and recommendation 5.1 Conclusion This research involves two themes, which are urban green space system and suitability analysis Urban green space system in this research means that there are some good green areas in the urban spatial environment, which are mainly covered with natural or man-made vegetation and can function as ecological balance, playing an active role to urban environment, landscape, and residents recreation Suitability analysis is the process to determine whether the land resource is suitable for some specific uses and to determine the suitability level Combing these two themes to one is the research purpose to develop an approach of GIS-based suitability analysis to identify suitable sites for urban green space system development The conclusions can be addressed as follow: Suitability analysis can be regarded as a relatively difficult task partially due to large number of factors and large volume of data that may be required for the determination Seven suitability factors are selected in this research, but they are not the optimal ecological factors combination and not enough to carry out the GIS-based suitability analysis The research approach for such suitability analysis depends heavily on the data available Comprehensive information needs to be available for each of the suitability factors applied in the analysis This information includes accurate suitability mapping, delineated city boundary, urban planning context, existing situation assessments, greening indices and future development restrictions Stakeholder analysis becomes important as a means of selecting the suitability factors and evaluating the relative importance among them Qualitative and quantitative factors information for the certainty factor is also necessary Integrating the certainty factor with GIS is an efficient method to improve the traditional suitability analysis model (TSAM) The improved traditional suitability analysis model (ITSAM) using the certainty factor can efficiently identify the difference among the different subclasses within the same suitability class, and can easily reduce the difference between the two different suitability classes around the division of scores So ITSAM encompasses more enriched and precise information than TSAM Six suitability scenarios based on TSAM and ITSAM are generated in this research ‘Final suitability scenario 3’ (Map 4.20) based on TSAM is found to be the best alternative after the ranking This is because only four suitability factors (landscape quality, historic culture value, water system influence, existing land use) can take advantage of the certainty factor The certainty factor is not suitable for the other three factors (air quality, surface water quality, noise influence) due to their deficient numerical values (observation data) Also, it has some subjectivity to determine the certainty factor when making the subclasses in the suitability class Further, it is somewhat subjective to determine the final suitability levels (‘no suitability’, ‘moderate suitability’, ‘high suitability’) by using the histogram of the composite suitability score in ILWIS Suitability analysis can be used to help direct the future growth of the green spaces and protect the other important landuses at the same time The result of implementing the proposed approach is a map that categorises and illustrates the different levels of green space suitability throughout the study area As can be seen on Map 4.25 of the best suitability scenario (proposed plan), large portions of the 83 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS study area are found not to be suitable for the green space system development This is a direct result of the growing conflict between the ecological environment and development restriction Areas that receive high and moderate suitability levels are revealed to be the predominant areas of the existing green spaces, vacant areas and government reserved areas This is suitable for the future growth of the green spaces After comparing the proposed plan with the urban master plan (2000-2015), it can be showed that their ideas and part of the results are similar The result in the proposed plan is reasonable and consistent with the local master plan, but it still needs to improve In order to advance the art of land suitability analysis, it is important that not only the result is replicable within a study area, but also the approach is transferable, or at least adaptable in other places By applying the proposed approach in Dongguan municipality, this research provides an example of such transferability The suitability results of the urban green space system are mathematically achieved, so they can be applied as valid factors into the generation of other approaches to achieve alternative landuse or design strategies Revaluation of initial conceptions or updated information also can easily regenerate landuse or design strategies The evaluation process is so explicit that alternative scenarios can be modelled without reconstructing the entire procedure From the view of the technical level, this GIS-based suitability analysis approach is quite able to integrate ecological and social geographic data with human knowledge in an objective and manageable nature It allows for all kinds of information from experts and general public to be used in the weighting process From the view of the organizational level, the use of GIS technology brings people together, including the urban planners, environmentalists, local residents and local government officials The high level of cooperation and involvement generates a broad-based approach to multiobjective suitability analysis for the green space system From this work we are able to suggest that, the approach applied in this study area can be adapted in other areas of Guangdong province In summary, the suitability results can provide helpful knowledge on the factors interactions and their relation to the urban environment within the study area It can be used to help people make better, more informed decisions, thus providing a more healthy quality of life for the community and the surrounding ecological environment Suitability analysis is a powerful tool for green space system planning Continued development and refinement of suitability analysis, particularly with GIS technology, can enable urban planners to help local government officials and local residents to create a suitable green space system in the urban environment 5.2 Recommendation Nowadays many methods can be used to make the suitability analysis, such as sieve mapping, landscape unit method, grey tone method (map overlay) and computer method (GIS) In this research, GIS is used to carry out the suitability analysis just because it can handle large number of data, powerfully visualize current and old information, produce new maps, etc By applying GIS in the suitability analysis, what we should first is to establish a set of suitability factors and weighting system This is the most important and difficult step in the suitability analysis This search selects seven factors to make the suitability analysis, including air quality, landscape quality, surface water quality, historic culture value, water system influence, noise influence and existing 84 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS land use It is a relatively new attempt to select these factors to analyse the suitability in the urban planning In some sense these factors may be not enough for showing the influence on the urban environment by the green space system However, there are no many useful data (maps) available for this case study As to the green space system, we should also consider the other ecological factors such as soil fertility, groundwater recharge, vegetation cover, erosion control, potential damage and some other social-economic factors (e.g development pressure, extending public parcels), which are only presented in the books rather than in the maps Hence, it is difficult to integrate these data with GIS, which will finally result in the relative shortage of urban foundational data It shows that the scientists can’ t have a good cooperation with the urban planners So it is recommended that the scientists and the planners should keep in more touch with each other, work together to carry out some researches of the relevant speciality and make up the urban foundational data This research is a preliminary attempt applying GIS-based suitability analysis in the urban green space system development The GIS software (ILWIS) used in the case study is of a raster-based design The major advantages of raster-based design are their capability of individual pixel analysis and map algebra inherent in the raster systems, which make this suitability analysis much easier However, depending on the scale of the individual cell values, the analysis may have been less precise than the vector-based design Allowing for the limited time and the deficient data, the pixel precision may be not very appropriate for this suitability analysis Further, the original maps’ scales are different that sometimes there are some errors in transforming the data But this suitability result is enough for the regional control, which can be showed from comparing the proposed plan with the master plan (Map 4.25) Therefore, if a detailed planning needs to be made in a region, it is better to use vector-based and raster-based GIS software (e.g ArcView, MapGIS) to carry out the suitability analysis, not only making the suitability analysis free from the manual way, but also making the suitability results more precise and suitable for the planning It is widely accepted that GIS is a toolbox capable of providing support for spatial problem-solving and decision-making However, current GIS analysis is based on simple spatial geometric processing operations such as overlay comparison, slicing, and distance calculation It does not provide optimisation, iterative equation solving, and simulation capabilities necessary in the suitability analysis Also, GIS does not integrate nonspatial data or decision makers’ preference into the decision analysis Given the current set of suitability factors, GIS land suitability mapping generates a set of suitability scenarios, rather than presenting the decision maker with an optimum scenario Six suitability scenarios are generated in this research by using GIS software (ILWIS) After that, a decision support system (DSS) software (DEFINITE) is used to make the ranking and sensitivity analysis to find the best suitability scenario These two softwares cannot easily exchange the data and only can allow for one set of weighting system at one time Therefore, GIS should be integrated with the DSS software to make the suitability analysis in a systematic way, taking into account spatial and nonspatial information and allowing the decision maker to analyse the information based on one or more sets of weighting systems GIS-DSS is an advancement in decision-making for the suitability analysis, but there is still a clear need for further research in this field One is about the extension of links between GIS and DSS software, in order to increase the exchange of data in the reverse direction from DSS software to GIS Another topic for further research is the development of new approaches of generating alternatives 85 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS within the GIS Development of such approaches should be able to increase the usefulness of GISDSS, because a major disadvantage of any decision analysis is the generation of a feasible, complete set of alternatives 86 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS References Bedward, M and R L Pressey (1991) "Scores and score classes for evaluation criteria: A comparison based on the cost of reserving all natural features." Biological Conservation 56(3): 281-294 Bedward, M., R L Pressey, et al (1992) "A new approach for selecting fully representative reserve networks: addressing efficiency, reserve design and land suitability with an iterative analysis." Biological Conservation 62(2): 115-125 Bruijn, C A d (1991) "Spatial factors in urban growth: towards GIS methods for cities in developing countries." ITC Journal 1991(4): 221-231 By, R A d., R A Knippers, et al (2000) Principles of Geographic Information Systems Enschede, ITC Chen, S (2000) Urban Expansion and Landuse Increment Beijing, Chinese Architectural and Industrial Press (in Chinese) Colson, G and C d Bruyn (1989) "Models and methods in multiple objectives decision making." Mathematical Computer Modelling 12(1989): 1201-1211 Costanza, R., L Wainger, et al (1993) "Modeling complex ecological economic systems." BioScience 43(8): 545-555 Gaoyuan, R., Z Yang, et al (1983) Urban Green Space Planning Beijing, Chinese Architecture and Industry Press (in Chinese) Hemmati, M (2002) Multi-stakeholder processes for governance and sustainability: beyond deadlock and conflict London, Earthscan Hofstee, P and M Brussel (1999) Analysis of suitability for urban expansion Enschede, ITC Hopkins, L D (1977) "Methods for generating land suitability maps: a comparative evaluation." Journal for American Institute of Planners 43(10): 386-399 Hu, P (1994) "Suitability analysis for system planning of city open space." Journal of Chongqing Jianzhu University 18(3): 8-14 (in Chinese) Huang, B (1997) "Certainty factor function and fuzzy mathematics." Remote Sensing Technology and Application 12(1): 14-18 (in Chinese) Huang, G and Y Chen (2002) Ecocity: Theory and Design Approach Bejing, Science Press (in Chinese) 87 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Jankowski, P and L Richard (1994) "Integration of GIS-based suitability analysis and multicriteria evaluation in a spatial decision support system for route selection." Environment and Planning 21: 323-340 Janssen, R (1994) Multiobjective Decision Support for Environmental Management Amsterdam, Kluwer Academic Publishers Janssen, R., M v Herwijnen, et al (2001) DEFINITE: Getting started manual Amsterdam, Institute for Environmental Studies: 39 Jia, J (2001) Planning and Design of Green Space System Beijing, Chinese Forestry Press (in Chinese) Kalogirou, S (2002) "Expert systems and GIS: an application of land suitability evaluation." Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 26(2-3): 89-112 Kuang, P (1996) "Suitability analysis for system planning of city open space." Journal of Chongqing Jianzhu University 18(3): 8-14 (in Chinese) Li, M (1999) Urban Green Space System and Human Settlements Planning Beijing, Chinese Architectural and Industrial Press (in Chinese) Liu, L (2003) Distributed behaviour: a Case Study on Recycling Behaviour in Chongqing, China Urban Planning and Land Administration Enschede, ITC: 82 Lynch, k (1961) The Image of City London M.J.Cohen (1993) "Integrated ecology: the process of counselling with nature." The Humanistic Psychologist 21(3) McDonald, G T and A L Brown (1984) "The land suitability approach to strategic land-use planning in urban fringe areas." Landscape and Planning 11(2): 125-150 McHarg, I (1969) Design with Nature Garden City, New York, The Natural History Press Miller, W., M G Collins, et al (1998) "An approach for greenway suitability analysis." Landscape and Urban Planning 42(1998): 91-105 Mugenyi, A (2002) Use of Green Space in Zaqmalek, Cairo Urban Planning and Land Administration Enschede, ITC: 30 Mumford, L (1979) Interpretations and forecasts: 1922-1972: studies in literature, history, biography, technics, and contemporary society New York etc, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 88 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Nijkamp, P and A V Delft (1977) Multi-criteria Analysis and Regional Decision-making Leiden, Amsterdam Nisar Ahamed, T R., K Gopal Rao, et al (2000) "GIS-based fuzzy membership model for crop-land suitability analysis." Agricultural Systems 63(2): 75-95 Pease, Coughlin, et al (1996) Land Evaluation and Site Assessment A Guidebook for Rating Agricultural Lands Ankeney,IO, Soil and Water Conservation Society Prasad, S (1999) Suitability Analysis and Decision Making Using GIS Spatial Modelling R.Ramanathan (2001) "A note on the use of the analytic hierarchy process for environmental impact assessment." Journal of Environmental Management 63 (2001): 27-35 Saaty and Vargas (1984) "Comparison of eigenvalue and logarithmic least squares and least methods in estimating ratios." Mathematical Modelling (5): 309-324 Sharifi, A and M v Herwijnen (2003) Spatial Decision Support Systems Enschede, ITC Shi, S (2002) Research on the Urban Spatial Structure Guided by the Urban Green Space System Physical Geography Wuhan, Central China Normal University: 112 (in Chinese) Shuaib, L (1998) The Application of GIS in Land Suitability Analysis for Residential Development in Kampala Uganda Geo-Information for Urban Management Applications Enschede, ITC: 32 Steiner, F (1983) "Resource suitability: Methods for analyses." Environment Manage 7(5): 401-420 Steiner, F., L McSherry, et al (2000) "Land suitability analysis for the upper Gila River watershed." Landscape and Urban Planning 50(4): 199-214 Talento, M F (2002) Green Accounting: Improving the Business Criteria for Sustainable Forest Management Natural Resources Management Enschede, ITC: 82 Voogd, H (1983) Multicriteria Evaluation for Urban and Regional Planning Pion, London W.Miller, R (1996) Uran Forestry: planning and managing urban greenspaces New Jersy Wang, Z (2003) A System Approach to Estimate Tree Resources Outside the Forest Forestry for Sustainable Development Enschede, ITC: 71 Westen, C J v (1997) Tools for Map Analysis Applied to the Selection of a Waste Disposal Site Enschede, ITC 89 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Wu, C (1998) Theory and Method of Contemporary Urban Recreation Design Beijing, Chinese Architectural and Industrial Press (in Chinese) Wu, R (1998) "The development process of foreign urban green space system." Urban Planning 22(6): 50-58 (in Chinese) Wu, R (1999) "The classification of green space system." Chinese Horticulture 15(6): 26-32 (in Chinese) Xu, Z (1999) Urban Environment Planning Wuhan, Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping Press (in Chinese) Xue, W (2001) Site Selection for New Wastewater Treatment Plants Urban Planning and Management Enschede, ITC: 64 Yan, L (2001) "The consideration of potential in the green space system." Chinese Horticulture 17(2): 66-72 (in Chinese) Zaporozec, A and F D Hole (1976) "Resource suitability analysis in regional planning with special reference to Wisconsin, USA." Geoforum 7(1): 13-22 Zhao, H (1999) Urban Planning and Urban Development Nanjing, Dong Nan University Press (in Chinese) Zhu, Z (1989) Psychology Gradus Beijiing, Science Press (in Chinese) 90 ... chapter SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS Definition and conceptions of urban green space system 2.1 Definition of urban green space system Green spaces refer to those... commons between them SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS 1.6 Structure of the thesis This thesis focuses on the suitability analysis of urban green space system based on. .. classification of Wu Renwei In addition, Allowing for the function of green space system, it 12 SUITABILITY ANALYSIS OF URBAN GREEN SPACE SYSTEM BASED ON GIS is feasible to change Square green space belonging